Vates

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the DevOps Manager of a stock exchange

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We're a new Stock Exchange that integrates and represents the main players in the country's stock market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Vates to accomplish?

• Jira Software Implementation
• Support and accompaniment in good practices on jira Software.

SOLUTION

How did you find Vates?

Online Search

Why did you select Vates over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Vates were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Carry out the implementation of Jira software, best practices and integrations to meet security requirements.
• implementation of templates and macros for the use of the tool.
• Automations in the projects to be able to carry out the correct measurement of implementation times.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Measurable project outcomes that demonstrate progress and success after Jira Software Cloud implementation include significant improvements in workflow efficiencies, greater transparency in project and task tracking, and reduced issue resolution times .

In addition, there was an increase in collaboration between teams, greater visibility into key metrics, and a decrease in communication errors. These achievements reflect the positive impact of the Jira Software Cloud implementation on our project management and execution process.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

In terms of their project management, they demonstrated an organized and methodical approach. They complied with the delivery of elements for the most part within the established deadlines, which contributed to keeping the project on track and achieving the objectives set.

Their response to our needs was generally responsive and effective. If issues arose or we required adjustments, they demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to address them in a timely manner. This smooth collaboration helped maintain strong communication and ensure that our needs were considered at all times during the Jira Software Cloud implementation.

What was your primary form of communication with Vates?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What stood out the most about this company was its pragmatic approach to implementing the Jira Software Cloud. They demonstrated the ability to adapt to our needs and adjust to the required processes. In terms of delivery, they mostly managed to meet the established deadlines, which contributed to the progress of the project. Their ability to technically adjust and respond to operational needs was remarkable and made all the difference in the implementation process.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Vates could have done differently?

While the Jira Software Cloud implementation was mostly successful, there are a few areas that could be considered for improvements. In hindsight, it would have been beneficial if Vates had provided more proactive communication about potential roadblocks and challenges that could arise during the implementation process.

Also, more clarity in contingency planning for unforeseen situations would have made for an even smoother experience. Despite these issues, it is important to note that Vates was receptive to addressing issues when they arose and adapting as we progressed through the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of MAmBA

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

MAmBA enable businesses to run marketing campaigns efficiently and to the right audience by adopting an Account-Based Marketing approach.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Vates to accomplish?

• Transform MAmBA into an exponential organization.
• Develop our first MVP and prepare to go to market.
• Have a trusted technical partner.

SOLUTION

How did you find Vates?

• Online Search
• Referral
• Clutch Site

Why did you select Vates over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Vates were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

ExO Launchpad played a crucial role in validating our value proposition through a variety of techniques, metrics, activities, and principles. Throughout the program, we had the opportunity to learn from industry experts during mentoring sessions and engaging meetings with our dedicated team coach. 

Their guidance and insights prepared us for the highly anticipated final demo day presentation, where we had a valuable platform to pitch our idea directly to potential investors, accelerators, funds, and the wider public. Thanks to ExO Launchpad, we gained invaluable validation, honed our pitching skills, and connected with key stakeholders in our industry, setting the stage for future success. 

Finally, we were able to launch our first MVP achieving all the features needed in time and form for deploying our GTM strategy.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Value proposition highly validated. Transform MAmBA into an exponential organization. On-live MVP with our first version updated. Feedback from experts and mentoring sessions. Pitch delivery.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Throughout our project, the Vates team exhibited exceptional project management skills. They consistently delivered items on time, demonstrating their commitment to meeting deadlines and ensuring smooth progress. Their efficiency in managing the workspace was commendable, fostering an environment where both parties were fully invested and dedicated to the project's success. 

Whenever we had specific needs or requests, the Vates team promptly responded, addressing our concerns and providing valuable support. Their responsiveness and attentiveness greatly contributed to the overall positive experience, enabling us to achieve all the project goals within the designated timeframe.

What was your primary form of communication with Vates?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What we found most impressive and unique about this company is its commitment to fostering innovation and growth. They go above and beyond in providing a supportive ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurial spirit and empowers businesses to push boundaries. Their emphasis on continuous learning, mentorship, and access to a network of industry experts sets them apart. 

The company's ability to blend cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking strategies with practical guidance and tangible resources truly stood out. Their dedication to helping businesses thrive and succeed in an ever-evolving market is truly remarkable and sets them apart as a standout player in their field.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Vates could have done differently?

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I´m the CTO of a software startup in Argentina that is developing a platform to improve sustainability in the agricultural sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Vates ?

Vates helped us prepare our startup for exponential growth. Accompanying us in all the necessary dimensions to have a successful startup and receive investment for growth.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We knew them from the entrepreneurial ecosystem and we chose them for the experience of having helped other startups, for the ExO Launchpad methodology they use, for their knowledge and experience in software development and the venture capital market.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

We worked for 4 months in 6 sprints, in which we worked on the 8 dimensions of the methodology, using Trello to organize ourselves. Each sprint consists of a retrospective and planning session, 3 mentoring sessions and a final presentation session of the sprint result.

Activities by axis:

• Purpose: Define Vision and Mission.
• Abundance: Create ExO Canvas.
• People: Design Culture design Canvas.
• Processes: Define the testing process.
• Customers: Design and conduct Problem interviews.
• Product: Improve demo based on problem interviews.
• Business model: Define the main risks/hypotheses of the BMC.
• Metrics: Analyze problem validation metrics.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Exo Launchpad Head Coach, Exo Coach, Scrum Master/analyst, Specialists, and disruptors

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

After the ExO Launchpad our startup managed to achieve the problem solution fit and work product market fit. We were invested by venture capital and we are growing in clients and markets

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The work of the Vates team is very well organized, they made a Slack channel available to us to communicate and the agreed work schedules were respected. Everything happened in a very fluid way, meeting the objectives and established times.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Knowledge of the development process of a startup, the exponential methodology and its experience in different industries.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Not for the moment

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am Alvaro Fernandez, COO of an agtech startup based in Río Cuarto, Argentina. We solve the problem of seedability of corn seed thruough encapsulate technology. We started Seed Matriz in 2018 and we are 15 people working full time at this moment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Vates ?

Vates helped us prepare our startup for exponential growth. Accompanying us in all the necessary dimensions to have a successful startup and receive investment for growth.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We worked for 4 months in 6 sprints, in which we worked on the 8 dimensions of the methodology, using Trello to organize ourselves. Each sprint consists of a retrospective and planning session, 3 mentoring sessions and a final presentation session of the sprint result.

Activities by axis: Purpose: Define Vision and Mission. Abundance: Create ExO Canvas. People: Design Culture design Canvas. Processes: Define the testing process. Customers: Design and conduct Problem interviews. Product: Improve demo based on problem interviews. Business model: Define the main risks/hypotheses of the BMC. Metrics: Analyze problem validation metrics.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Through a process of centrifugal aggregation of binders and dry matter, we reshape the morphology of the seed, covering it with a matrix that makes it round, drastically improving seedability, without preventing normal emergence or affecting its growth. The matrix also constitutes a carrier of enhancers, defenses and information generators that allows exponential efficiency in the use of inputs.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We are in the pre-commercial stage, but we currently have 1 full-time resource dedicated to commercial functions

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The work of the Vates team is very well organized, they made a Slack channel available to us to communicate and the agreed work schedules were respected. The process happened very fluidly, meeting the objectives and established times.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Both teams worked very close and organized

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Vates knows every stage of startups like Seed Matriz. Its a great added value for us

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

The program was very dificult for us, due the resources that we could assigne for it. We think that to add a few weeks in this program could be better for startups like us

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

CommScope is a company leader in the Product and Solution for Telecommunications field. As part of the CHS team, my role is to oversee Professional Services support for different programs in Latin America and Caribbean region.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Vates?

With VATES support, we provide a wide portfolio of services to our customers like Remote Hands, Decommsioning and Fiber Characterization.

SOLUTION

How did you select this agency and what were the deciding factors?

Although this vendor is a CommScope’s preferred supplier, I've decided to select them based on their responsiveness, resource support and developement during the program and talent pool.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Once we receive the SOW from our customers, we identify the type of resource needed and we reach VATES to find the right profile. Once selected, VATES onboard this resource and we provide access to our systems/tools in order to accomplish the SOW.

Describe the recruitment process in detail.

Internally we define the Job Description and skillset required. We share that information with VATES and they run over the market searching for a good fit. Later they present a list of usually three candidates proposed and we conduct several interviews until decide which is the best fit.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

With their support, we been able to sustain a >95% SLA accomplishment with our customers.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

As we are able to also onboard their resources within our company as contractors, there is a full integration to our systems and needs. This integration allows us to fulfill our customers needs as intended.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They have a highly skilled team qualified to find the best fit for each requirement.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Despite support been given so far has been excellent, I believe they could proactively develop more options for upcoming market researchs aiming to specific profiles we may need.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

CommScope is a company leader in the Product and Solution for Telecommunications field. As part of the Operations team, my role is to act as liaison between CommScope Professional Services Group (part of the Broadband Networks Segment) in Latin America and Caribbean region and Staffing Agencies in the region

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Vates?

Since 2015, the Professional Service Group has used resources provided by Vates in multiple projects, most often in the form of Staff Augmentation for our Customers, especially in the Cable TV industry. However, Vates has also provided resources for other positions such as Project Managers, Systems Integration Testers, etc.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

This vendor is a CommScope’s preferred supplier. Deciding factors were: Responsiveness, how close the proposed candidate matched the need, availability of a support on Vates side to manage any situation during the assignment and cost.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

As indicated above, there have been several projects where the services of Vates have been used, from Staff Augmentation in the DOCSIS area, to DevOps and Testing services for Systems Integration, etc. The selected resource from Vates will go on to perform specific tasks depending their area of expertise according to the project needs (i.e. Customer network upgrades, expansions, etc.)

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Approximately 15 resources have been assigned to CommScope in Argentina in the last 5 years or so:

• ISP / DOCSIS /Video Engineering – 6
• Engineers – 4
• PM – 2
• PLM – 1
• Systems Integration – 8
• Testers – 5
• DevOps – 1
• Architect – 1

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Due to confidentiality no details can be shared. However, the projects were resources from Vates participated were successfully completed and some of them were renewed several times.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was pretty effective, Vates has always been responsive and ready to address any issues that might arise with the resources assigned to CommScope.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Vates has been key to CommScope success in Argentina, providing their right resources and whenever difficulties have appeared, they are always ready to solve the situation in the most professionally and efficient manner.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Considering the difficult socio-economic environment in Argentina during the last few years, pricing is always a determining factor. For a few specific cases Pricing could have been managed more proactively.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Global company that delivers software solutions to companies and accountants

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Vates, and what were your goals?

We need to deliver a new application for Income tax using a global platform. We need to achieve a fixed deadline because of compliance regulatory changes.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

The vendor has been chosen by the global sourcing area, after doing a benchmark with other local competitors

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Income tax app project need to be released before compliance aggressive deadlines. Project was split in monthly milestones. We worked in a global platform that manager .NET C# for for backend, and Angular for Frontend

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

This team was conformed by analyst, managers, QA, developers (BE and FE) and QA automation. Around 22 people

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Deadline was achieved successfully, up to now 140 clients are using this platform without problem

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

MS TEAMS, TFS ADO

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They integrated seamlessly with our internal teams in a very short period of time. They have worked together to achieve deadline successfully.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We did a progressively rump up, incorporating people in different months. Due mainly to difficulty in getting the proper resources in each role. It would be awesome having fully conformed team before kick off, and do the onbaording at the same time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there

I am the CEO of a technology company specialized in software development for the mining industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Vates?

We needed help with software architecture and an API integration.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did the architecture, design, development, and implementation of our core I-GAT system. Recently, we also worked with them on an update of that same architecture to make it more secure for certification.

What is the team composition?

In the first project, we worked with an engineering manager, a lead architect, two developers I think, a project manager, and a commercial manager. It was the same for the update, except we only had one developer.

How did you come to work with Vates? 

At the time we were a startup and didn’t have enough experience to carry on that project, so we had a licitation. Vates met our budget needs, had great architects, and they made a great proposal.

Additionally, they had great experience in business software architecture and a great portfolio. They also had several developers available, which made us feel that we could have everything covered no matter what. We chose to work with them from there.

How much have you invested in them?

 We spent about $35,000 on both projects.

 What is the status of this engagement?

Our first project started in June 2015, and it lasted about 6 months. The recent update started in January 2021, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The architecture operates in 14 different mining sites, and it has a high volume of transactions. It also has a very good performance. The architecture was very well designed and successfully implemented on the cloud. Overall, the project was very effective and well-executed.

How did Vates  perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Jira for project management, and it worked very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The number of developers and diversity of profiles stand out. Basically, they can do whatever you need. The team has expert architects, QAs, web developers, and AI developers. They always have the right person for anything that you can think of.

They were also very good at estimating the time and budget needs of the project; their initial approximation ended up being very close to the final results.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had to wait for some time before they had the availability to work on our project because they are usually very busy. Otherwise, we are very happy with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a good choice if you want your product to be high quality and scalable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and co-founder of Nobracks. We produce and sell orthodontic products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Vates?

We use a lot of technology, and that’s the reason we hired Vates. Every orthodontist has a lot of patients. We needed a comprehensive solution within one platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a platform to organize our company’s production. The platform introduces our treatments to patients. Then, our orthodontists can follow the treatment plan and receive payment for the treatments.

What is the team composition?

We spoke with 5¬–10 people.

How did you come to work with Vates?

Vates was a very serious and interesting company. They were able to resolve our problem at a good price and within the time we wanted.

How much have you invested with them?

My company spent $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February–December 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Vates developed a very nice platform. We were happy that we chose them, and we were pleased with the software that they developed. 

We’re able to track our production and work in an easier way. We feel we’ve achieved our goals.

How did Vates perform from a project management standpoint?

All of our meetings were via video or telephone calls because of COVID-19. We also used email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a very serious company. We are going to do another project with them because we’re happy with their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’s difficult to know if we’d change something. It’s not easy to do software specific to certain activities.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If possible, I recommend having in-person meetings. It’s better than interactive meetings, but that wasn’t an option last year. The relationship is very important.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a mechanical engineer, and I’m the president of our company. Our primary product line is defense-oriented sensors, but we also have an agricultural-sensing device. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Vates?

Vates worked on the Python code for our agricultural-sensing device. We had to upgrade from Python 2.7, which ran on AWS, to a higher version.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Vates took all of our existing lambda functions and converted the old code into the new one. They also did some testing on their servers. They deployed the code to their development environment, and from there, we ferreted out and fixed the issues. We then released it to our actual user-facing site. 

What is the team composition?

They have a large crew, but I mainly work with Rolando (Senior Software Developer & Engineer), Christian (Engineering Manager), and Carina (QA Analyst). 

How did you come to work with Vates?

A person I had known from my previous work had a list of different companies that might be good for the project. They were all overseas. I basically interviewed all of them, and I thought Vates was the best fit. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between $10,000–$12,000 so far. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2020, and we’re still engaged. The bulk of the work is done, but I’m keeping them around for maintenance. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Vates has been amazing. The work they do causes no interruptions or delays on anything. The users didn’t experience any of those. I’ve done some in-house testing as well, and we’ve resolved the issues that showed up. We have a seasonal product, and we don’t think there will be any issues next season. The device should be good to go. 

How did Vates perform from a project management standpoint?

Vates has been excellent and is always ahead of me when it comes to delivering on time. They have a full plan and layout of the path that they want to use. They coach me through every part of it, and they have all of the bases covered. 

We communicate via email, and they prepare some PowerPoint presentations for us to follow along. I don’t use any project management software with them, but they may be using one on their end. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their efficiency and knowledge of the subject are impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there are none. As far as my needs are concerned, the team gave me more than I needed. I was initially hesitant about working with someone outside of the US because I’d never done that before. We’d never used engineers and software developers that weren’t US-based. However, I no longer have any fears of that, since it has been very easy to work with Vates. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know your priorities and all the things you want to achieve in your project, and then turn Vates loose on it.